Putting this out there in case someone sees this in the MI area. I had a 64 full size simulated wood wheel sent to Classic Restoration & Parts in Roseville, MI for restoring and repainting. This was in January. Joe Ellis is the guy and there was always a reason why the wheel was THISCLOSE to being done but due to work obligations, family, etc. it was always another 2 weeks. Now fed up, I left another message with the guy this week to send back the unfinished wheel or I would have to get the local PD involved. Now, cell phone, email, all disconnected and probably I will not get this back. If by chance someone sees this option wheel advertised in the area, please drop me a line so I can follow up and see if its my scam. I will be at the Lansing show and Dearborn thi season and will be going to the guys address to try and recover this but I'm guessing he'll be long gone. Pat McMillan 618 544 4261

Pat,

I just checked Craigslist and it is not there. I will keep my eyes and ears open.

Hope you get it back. That's one of the toughest woodgrain wheels in the world to find.

I went thru the same thing with a 64 AM-FM radio around 1990 or so, with a supposedly reputable radio shop in Ohio. Took me two years to get it back, and it came back unrepaired after I'd paid for it.

Word of mouth is an effective revenge.

Update! Well I had to drive 600 miles round trip but got the wheel back. The guy didn't answer my calls but when the local PD called, he picked up. I guess he didn't recognize the #. Alls well that ends well. So, anybody know of a RELIABLE wheel restoration guy that can do these fake wood wheels? Pat

http://www.garyssteeringwheel.com/

I've never had any work done by him, but he seems to do nice work and he's been around for a while. He goes to the Hershey and Carlisle shows.

I have a cigarette burn in the wheel of my '55 I'd like to have him look at.

Paul

I would check with some of the Corvette restoiration guys. The standard Stingray wheel is fake wood and i know they get restored.